A joint statement on behalf of Ross-on-Wye Town Council and S&W Herefordshire NHS Primary Care Network has been issued:
The latest Coronavirus (Covid-19) testing figures from Public Health England are showing an increase in positive tests in Herefordshire. The rate at which new cases are being identified is much higher here than in other parts of the country. This suggest the epidemic here has not yet reached a peak.
The map (from The Guardian summarising, testing numbers) describes 41.6 positive tests over the last 10 days, per 100,000 people. For our county of around 192,000 people this represents an average of 8 people a day testing positive at present. Without access to testing for everyone, this is likely to significantly under-represent new cases of Covid-19.
Locally health services are aware of clusters of Covid-19 in Ross-on-Wye as well as other places in the county. We feel it is important that our community is aware that there are a growing number of cases in Ross, and that the rate of infection in Herefordshire seems to be increasing. Being informed allows us to continue to take great care to protect ourselves and people around us. We strongly encourage people to reduce their own others’ potential exposure to the virus wherever possible.
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Daniel Lister – Mayor of Ross-on-Wye on behalf of Ross Town Council
Dr Simon Lennane – GP and Clinical Director, South & West Herefordshire NHS PCN
The Ross-on-Wye coronavirus survey also gives health professionals information about the level of possible symptoms in our community. The more replies we get, the more valuable it becomes, especially if people regularly complete it with or without symptoms. The survey can be found at http://www.rosscdt.org.uk The responses are available for all to see. A survey such as this cannot pick up all cases, but it remains important to look out for a local spike in symptoms. We would as all local residents to complete it twice a week for themselves, and to encourage others to do so.
